First Nation Tax Authorities and First Nations Property Ownership Initiative Conference
First Nation Tax Authorities National Meeting: Strengthening Tax Jurisdictions for Stronger Economies
October 19, 2010
Greetings:
On behalf of the First Nations Tax Commission, I would like to welcome you to the First Nation Tax Authorities National Meeting. Over 130 First Nations in eight provinces are involved in property taxation across Canada, and the National Meeting affords us an opportunity to come together and learn about innovations in the tax system, new ways to expand economic growth, and collective strategies to overcome challenges.
The theme of the 2010 meeting - Strengthening Tax Jurisdictions for Stronger Economies - focuses on four interrelated areas: protecting First Nation jurisdiction, expanding revenue options, enabling First Nation infrastructure financing, and building First Nation fiscal governance capacity.
A highlight of our meeting will be the recent developments in expanding taxation revenue and creating a First Nation bond. This will no doubt be a watershed moment in First Nation history, one of which many of you have long anticipated. Our governments will finally have the ability to build sustainable infrastructure in a way that other Canadian governments take for granted. Together, with the other First Nation Fiscal Institutions (First Nations Financial Management Board, First Nations Finance Authority, and the First Nations Statistical Institute), we will provide an update on the institutional work to make a First Nation bond a reality, and illustrate how taxing First Nations can begin to leverage their revenue for long term financing.
Debenture financing relies on revenue streams. But property taxation, while a critical element in financing government, is only a portion of what it takes to finance infrastructure. Other local revenues, such as taxation for the provision of services (i.e., improvement taxes), development cost charges, and other taxes are equally important in financing infrastructure growth. We will examine these forms of tax revenue and demonstrate how essential they are in developing a comprehensive capital infrastructure program.
The meeting will also highlight the work being done to support First Nation jurisdiction and enhance administrative capacity. This includes our research on post-Treaty First Nation taxation and the taxation of railway interests, as well as our work with the Tulo School of Indigenous Economics and First Nations Gazette .
This evening, the Commission will host a banquet where Peruvian economist Hernando de Soto, will deliver the keynote address. Mr. de Soto has been internationally recognized for his distinguished work with indigenous societies. He also has been a key source of inspiration for the initiative which I have been leading for the past few years. The First Nations Property Ownership Initiative Conference is being held in conjunction with the National Meeting.
This Conference is important to taxation authorities because our lack of basic property rights has meant that our lands have lower market values and we have to spend a great deal of time and money establishing investor certainty. It has meant that our ability to grow our tax bases has been limited.
Over the course of the next few days, my fellow Commissioners and I will try to meet with each of you. On their behalf, let me wish you the very best and hope that your experience here is productive and rewarding.
Sincerely,
C.T. (Manny) Jules
Chief Commissioner, FNTC